Giants will open camp with 37 pitchers and 30 non-roster invitees

As much as I would like to spend the next week recovering from a week in New Orleans, we’ve got baseball. We’ve got a media session on Friday, FanFest on Saturday and pitchers and catchers reporting next week. We’ve also got a full list of the players who will be in big league camp. In addition to those on the 40-man roster, 30 players are non-roster invitees. It’s going to be a packed clubhouse, especially on the pitching side. With a long 2012 season in their recent past and the World Baseball Classic coming soon, the Giants will have 37 pitchers in camp.

And with that, we’re off. Blog should be back to normal from here on out (thanks for getting through the slow times). A reminder, if you’re not already following, you can follow me on Twitter: @AlexPavlovic.

So Boof Bonser is officially property of the Giants. Thought he was free at season’s end. Was he resigned?

Hope he’s still got it.

Good deal for Tony Abreu to go straight to 40 man.

dgg

Thanks Alex!

Keep’n It Real

Bond…Brock Bond.

Couldn’t help it

JD4SF

Thanks, Alex!
Counting the days to ST and BASEBALL!!! 8)

Atlas

I recognize a handful of the non-roster invitees, but which of those names should we keep an eye on?

It’s time to book that Spring Training trip!

BASEBALL!

Not Spartacus

Wasn’t Boof Bonser the lead singer for the group SHA-NA-NA?

Lefty

Edlefsen???? Nooooo. Whyyyyy?

I got rid of him myself last June by screaming for Kontos for weeks!

Bapah

The Giants announced that they have avoided arbitration with closer Sergio Romo by agreeing to a two-year deal. Romo is represented by Meister Sports Management.

This deal takes care of Romo’s remaining arbitration seasons and he will still hit the open market following the 2014 season as planned. With the closer under contract, the Giants now have taken care of all of their arbitration eligible players this winter. Terms of the deal are not yet known, but the right-hander filed for $4.5MM while the Giants countered with $2.675MM when figures were exchanged in January.

Bapah

Ooops, above from MLB Trade Rumors

Atlas

So MLBTR is calling him “the closer…”

fergie348

Ramon Ramirez comes back? I wonder if he and Chad Gaudin have anything left..

I’d love it if Bonser impressed in camp. It looks like most of the interesting battles this year will be among the many ‘long reliever’ types we have bouncing around camp.

We were exceptionally lucky in terms of not needing extra starters last year. Can’t really expect that to continue, so who’s the spot starter when we need one?

dgg

Hank Schulman reports that Bochy spoke at the Commonwealth Club and spoke afterwards with a couple reporters and had these things to say:

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- Bochy and Pablo Sandoval spoke by phone last week. Bochy specifically asked Sandoval how much he weighed. Bochy said he was satisfied with Sandoval’s answer is eager to see for himself at FanFest.

- Bochy expects all players in camp, which begins next week, to be at full strength with no work restrictions aside perhaps from pitcher Eric Surkamp, who is coming off Tommy John surgery.

- Nothing new with Brian Wilson, and I get the sense nothing is closer either: ”I can’t say he’ll be back and I can’t say the door is closed,” Bochy said.

- He expects every pitcher to be ready to throw to both catchers, including Tim Lincecum with Buster Posey. At the same time, he left the door open for Lincecum or another starter to be paired mostly with Hector Sanchez, saying, “Sometimes you try to keep the same pitchers paired with Hector to make it a little bit simpler handling the battery.”

- Bochy is saying he will use multiple relievers to close.

=========

GiantDuck

I can’t help but think if the Giants need a starter backup during the season, they’ll dip into their young stockpile: Kickham, Crick, Blackburn, Heston. From what I’ve read there is MadBum-Cain potential in that cast. But not Surkamp. I watched him pitch. He doesn’t have MLB stuff.

dgg

Things are starting to rev up around here. Alex has new tweets (about baseball, not football!), this new blog, and a new print article about the Romo deal (which will probably be updated with details later.)

p.s. Surely Bochy has seen the photos and video clips of Pablo in the Venezuelan Winter League?

Matthew

Sorry to bring this on here, but please send thoughts, prayers and condolences to Delanie Walker, who lost his aunt and uncle in a car crash apparently caused by a drunk driver after the Super Bowl.

Nice to have Sergio back for at least the next two seasons

DoOrDie

does that mean Abreu is on the ML roster? Or in minors camp?

Anti-Lasorda

Romo just signed, Rosters done.. except for #40.

Looking things over I would rather them sign the Riot the Willy bhut we’ll see.

Karen S. (cheering from AZ)

Just like when the swallows return to Capistrano every year, I look for the boys returning to Arizona. Spring is just about here! YIPPEE!!!

Anti-Lasorda

2 for $9M for Romo – no details on splut but I’m assuming 3.5 and 5.5

Erin Roand

“- Bochy and Pablo Sandoval spoke by phone last week. Bochy specifically asked Sandoval how much he weighed. Bochy said he was satisfied with Sandoval’s answer is eager to see for himself at FanFest.”

It turns out there was a slight language issue. Bochy thought Panda was referring to pounds when Panda was referring to kilos.

Richard in Winnipeg

Thanks Alex;

Good to hear Giants avoided arb court with Romo.

Fanfest this weekend, I will be listening to KnBR throughout the day.

Fyi, if anyone does not read OGC’s blog; here is the link to his most recent post. As always great insight.

Although he’s off to a great start, Ryan Braun has a long way to go if he ever hopes to match Lance Armstrong for greatest sports liar ever.

bradley emden

I heard that Jeremie Accardo will also be at giants camp.

Foothills Ryan

Thanks Oracle. Now I’ve got Ryan Braun occupying a seat in my brain next to Ray Lewis. The Cheats. Lewis cheated w/PEDs and he cheated the justice system and public.

Thanks Richard. OGC always has well thought out arguments. There are a few points he could elaborate to improve, but he’s outlined what already appears to be the Giants strategy. I mean, you saw how they drafted, right? I can only think of one hitter, Mac Williamson, in the first 10 rounds.

Sounds like a great deal for Romo and Giants. Security cut both ways. If Romo keeps putting up the video game #’s (press left on the key pad and watch that slider break), he’d be eligible for a nice cash prize in his final arb. Still think the committee situation will limit him to about 20-25 saves. Maybe Casilla gets roughly the other half with Affeldt picking up a few stragglers. Sounds like a plan.

Alex, thanks for this space, your input, and faster download times.

http://nada paul in p.v.

Snorkel feels the same way about Snurkamp as Lefty feels about Edlefsen: NOOOOOOO.

Roger Craig

So, how much does Pablo weigh? I’d say close to 350 pounds. He and Boof can compare menus.

There’s no excuse for being a professional athlete and looking like a candidate for “The Biggest Loser”.

Die Hard Giants Fan

The “pundits” love talking about the Nats, LA, and Atl. What they miss is the chemistry that the Giants have. LA did not have it last year. It showed. With this team intact and Lincecum bouncing back, look out, repeat coming. I’m off to Arizona later this month. It’s the best time of the year to get close to the action on a hobo’s budget.

stickman

Thanks Alex. Hope you don’t think i was hounding you out of your well-deserved rest earlier today.

Think Spring! Yes, even the Northwoods of Minnesota has emerged from the below Zero (that’s Fahrenheit and is both qualitatively and quantitatively different from above the mark) and it’s maybe even mellowed up in “the Peg” from where Richard has gifted us with a link to Obsessive/Compulsive.

With that backlog of pitchers those poor five catchers will be plumb worn to a frazzle by the time ST is over. From somewhere amidst that gaggle will emerge SF’s long-man. Just as some power hitters (particularly LHB’s) tend to avoid joining the Jints, pitchers who have kicked around a bit and find themselves at loose ends will more and more tend to gravitate to a venue where the fences have not been pulled in and where defensive excellence is a prized commodity ~ in other words to Hurlers’ Heaven at #24 Willie Mays Plaza.

ClutchUp

Thanks for the Vine-Post Sir Pavlovic! We all knew you were right around the corner and that the 49ers, FanFest or the Plethora of players signed by RipVan Sabean would bring another Thread on 2/6/13.

Per Dgg’s post and Atlas’s inquiry – MY guess is Romo is “a” closer or “one of the closers” especially based on his down the stretch performance.

In spite of CalBearFan last season ‘pining’ for Romo to be anointed the ‘actual or only closer’ – it is clear that Bochy-Rags and Gardner’s use of Sergio bordered on brilliant and away from the cameras and too long in game WS interview Sergio admitted as much.

Is he a MLB prototypical closer? No, doubtful. Can he be a useful relief pitcher used at the end of an important game? Of course 100%. But at 5’10 and a buck 75 with two knees that at one time both had braces – it wouldn’t be prudent (DanaCarvey doing HW Bush and Ross Perot ).

Romo is clearly unique. He has the fierce mentality of a lock down corner back who can find amnesia when thoughts of Eric Hinske, Scott Hairston or Hanley Ramirez try to enter his noggin.

His no dot slider is truly his weapon but he is now throwing pitches with different grips especially his fast ball that is now backing up on RH hitters.

If he’s used incorrectly he won’t be around in September. Big Noggin, Rags and Gardy are acutely aware of that. Apparently though MLBTR has no clue what the inter-team’s plans are.

He could start with the big club or go to Fresno. Switchitting Abreu will battle lefty hitting Kensuke Tanaka as will Noonan for filling the Ryan Theriot spot. This might or might not signal the end of Adrianza on the current 40 man roster.

Also Brett Pill is a 40 man roster guy and this may/might be his last Spring Training with SF. Pill is a great guy but fans who want him to (still) get that shot are blinded by the eventual reality that he tends to go down swinging at unexpected pitches thrown in RBI moments. Brett Pill on a boffo talent laden team is sure lock, it just might not be always in SF.

@Giant Duck: Good choice. Ahem, it was always clear to me that you were a fan of THE O. But I think Foothills Ryne was holding out hope that you were just a Duck who was Giant. 8)

ClutchUp

bradley emden says: February 6th, 2013 at 7:24 pm 23..I heard that Jeremie Accardo will also be at giants camp.

Paul: Surkamp had Tommy John surgery in July. No way he’s even ready for spring training or the start of the season. I thought it was weird/too bad because he hurt his arm in March but didn’t have surgery for four months. Time wasted.

Anti: MadBum is #40. You meant Wilson, #38, right?

Baggarly reports that with Romo’s new deal of $3.5 mil. in 2013 ($5.5 for 2014), the Giants’ payroll is slightly under $140 mil. Still a tiny bit of room if something or someone comes along, I’d think.

ClutchUp

Edlefson is holding out hopes of dating Lefty’s daughter….

Tumorseal

Lets do this boys!

ClutchUp

Warriors LOSE again but to TWO solid teams.

FanFest is gonna be for fanactics only. Most sane fans should avoid…

The Big Sadowski and Boof Bonser both camp invites…

Can Billy Sadler or Joe Marinez be far behind?

Foothills Ryan

I would still eat GiantDucks’s bacon wrapped foie gras with fava beans and a nice chianti.

Lefty, I’d thought of the delay on Surkamp as lost time also, but I like to think that team doctors still like to use TJ as a last resort. Give the ligaments a chance to quiet down and heal on their own before borrowing a new set from a cadaver.

I’d also say give Edlefsen another shot to get his sinker going, but how many chances should a guy get. AAA innings eater.

As for Surkamp, I’d say Paul is a tough crowd. His brief MLB tenure came at the end of a stellar campaign in AA where he logged 140+ innings. He was gassed and it showed. And his arm hurt. He’s a left handed Chris Heston and if everything works out right, maybe he’s something between a late career Tom Glavine and Barry Zito.

ClutchUp

Thoughts/Prayers to the Delanie Walker family.

Nobody should have to ever go thru a trajedy of that nature due to the selfishness of someone getting behind a wheel drunk. Shame!

VamosGigantes

Baseball!
Giants baseball!
Baseball!
Gotta love it!
Go Giants!

SurfCity

Clutch, that’s what I was going to say too — Romo is A closer. And yeah, Abreu is on the 40-man.

And since all the good comments have already been made, I’ll just say Leave it to the Giants to have a Gillaspie and a Gillespie in camp

giantsfaninak

baseball- woohoo!
it’s got to be spring somewhere .. it certainly isn’t up here in the hinterlands

SurfCity

ClutchUp at 35. Yep you’re right – and besides OKC being the top team in the league and deadly at home, the Warriors flight from Houston was forced to land in Tulsa due to fog. Tthey had to take taxis from Tulsa into OKC cause the fog was too bad and didn’t get into their hotel until 5 in the morning. Bogut sat because he’s still rehabbing and not playing back-to-back games and Jack sat with an injury. Just wasn’t in the cards for them at OKC.

pacman68

No Kischnick? Gary Brown better start wowing fast. His time is running out. Can’t wait to see Baby Bochy and Hembree.

Brock Bond will be the star of spring training. You heard it here first.

Hnery Chinaski

Shane Loux and Steve Edlefsen.. AGAIN…. Oh god no… WHY? JUST WHY?

http://nada paul in p.v.

Snorkel is basing his Surkamp opinion on 2011, not last year – what’s worse than a junkballer with no control?

There was no last year. Low walk rates throughout minors. Tell snorkel it’s hard to trust your stuff against big league hitters, especially when your arm ain’t right.

I agree though, Barry Zito without control is a horrible sight.

Obrother

That’s a lot of players invited to ST. Worst case is that the Giants find a diamond in the rough and have to cut him because no room on roster. Correct me if I’m wrong but do they usually invite that many players to ST. I’m excited for ST to start and plan on going to 3 games. I’ve gone last two years and its been great. Talk to players, autographs etc. if any one goes and wants autographs look at schedule and if the Giants are playing one game in morning and another at a different place get your hand stamp and go outside and see if there is a bus because the half of the team that didn’t play the morning game will be leaving for the afternoon game and they hang around bus talking to fans. It’s pretty cool.

Mitch Lively, CSU Sacramento Hornet, could be a dark horse for bullpen spot. Doesn’t have top flight stuff of a Heath Hembree, but has get-after-it attitude. Good numbers for PCL. Manager at Fresno spoke highly of him as a guy who could help big league roster.

===

I gather the 2 million for Torres is guaranteed. Although, I can’t imagine his roster spot being guaranteed, especially if he isn’t hitting worth a lick and two other guys appear to be better bets for 4th/5th OF. Something to keep an eye on.

Keep’n It Real

Not going to Fan Fest, but if you are…I would get there early. I remember after the 2010 WS, they were broadcasting on the radio, “If you aren’t here now, please don’t come…you won’t get in.”

Blue Jays prominent. Nationals take the cake. No Sabes. “Worst” to come tomorrow.

Anti-Lasorda

Lefty,

I meant roster spot #40. Not player number #40. Only 39 guys taken. I’ll stick with my opinion, that while we may have younger options like Abreu and Tanaka in camp to relieve Scoots, I would like that last roster spot for Theriot.

From my analysis, and I haven’t seen Tanaka hit, I want someone that can hit in the two hole and do all those little things Scoots does and have the same approach. The only guy on the roster from last year that can is Theriot. Crawford did yeoman’s work in the two hole last season, and if Theriot isn’t retained could hit up there in a pinch but IMHO he strikes out too much for a good #2. I still like hitting Pagan #2 (he has a decent contact rate) and leading off Blanco on those days too but the Big Noodle making the decisions doesn’t like pulling Angel from the top spot. Blanco will only lead off on Pagan’s off days.

It’s greedy, and maybe a luxury the budget won’t afford and it would require a sacrifice from Theriot to want the sure to be reduce playing time. His performance last season could get him in a spot to get 300-350 ABs and with the G’s I think he’s looking at about 1/2 that. He would only be backing up Scutaro for the most part. Arias is the THE back up for Panda and Crawford. The Riot is a great clubhouse guy, and I’m all in for him to come back, but again, I don’t think its in the cards. (bad pun considering where he signed from)

As for the bullpen. Bochy is saying two spots are open. The traditional Mota- Swiss arm knife role which Rameriez would have inherited last year if he was not included in the Pagan deal, would have to be considered the front runner but Gaudin, Bonzer, Lively & Loux etc. should all be in the running. The other spot IMO is Mijares and don’t laugh but Dan Runzler…. Runzler was throwing absolute BBs last fall and could beat out Jose for that last lefty in the pen. Don’t be suprised. Hey 94 from the leftside is still 94 and Runzler would have the best heater in the Pen if he breaks with squad. That will be 100% based on control of his secondary pitches. Only Casillia throws as hard. Whoever loses, and don’t get me wrong, Mijares is in the catbird seat, will be great trade fodder come July.

Mijares should be the heir apparent for Lopez who will be a free agent after next season. Runzler, once thought as the successor for Affeldt is going to have to fight for a role with Jeremy having a long term deal, thoug I will say this; IMO I think Bochy goes two headed monster at closer. Affeldt and Romo getting 95% of the load the way Pinella used to do with Dibble and Myers. If Bochy needs to ask questions on how to rotate those guys he can always call Sweet Lou since he is still on staff.

Kontos for me is a lock, he is getting groomed to be in Romo’s 2011 role in 2 years. He has the same no dot slider, he has a better build and under team control past when Sergio’s a free agent and look to cashing on the big bucks in 2015. He could get completely bombed inthe spring and put is role in jeopardy, but I just don’t see it.

Besides having Jose and George wonder whose job isn’t a lock is a good thing to keep them working hard.

Hembree to me starts in Fresno with Bochy as his setup guy. Both guys will be up during the season barring injury, but I would think Kontos would have to implode for them to see MLB action on a consistent basis.

Everyone else is just ST arm fodder given the length and the WBC. Sadowski might hang around in Fresno as I am sure the club hopes all the Swiss Army knife losers do. Most, except for Rameriez, will probably accept assignment.

That how I see it going in.

~YMMV

ClutchUp

Scout Finch RyAn Foothills: Here’s another ‘baseball bible’ for you. They might have it on Kindle to make it more readily available for us internet GM’s. 8)

In 43.2 IP, a WHIP of 1.053 and a K per inning should be tough to unseat.

Will they really just give the last bullpen spot to a “swiss army” guy , or to the guy who has the best spring. Let’s say Hembree or Proctor earn the job. Neither is suited for long relief. So maybe Kontos and Mijares have to assume that role, as a partnership.

CB The DodgerH8ter

Report from Hermosillo,

Pablo no aqui??
Hanley Rameriz for DR SUCKS!!!!! He swings at everything. 3-4 with 3 KO last night which was a good day for him.
Renny Osuna is a vacuum. He looks like a lighter skinned version of Ozzie Smith. Even his motion and body type remind me of Ozzie. He’s one of the better lead off hitters in the Caribbean series.
Guy to watch Doug Clark, Mexico. He hit ball far.
Hermosillo very cool city. Modern. Clean. Safe. Great weather. I’m reminded of the line in Pulp Fiction, “they got all the same stuff we got but little differences. (I’m writing this from a Starbucks in the lobby of a very modern looking hotel.)

Went fishing a couple days ago out near Isle do Tiburion. That was a little scary. They shoved way to many people on this little boat and the guy pointed to a dark rain cloud on the horizon and said that’s where were going. By the time we got there there was no storm thankfully. Caught a Manta Ray. It tasted a lot like swordfish but a little more gamy.
What else?
Oh new stadium. The stadium they have here is super cool. Brand new. And Cheap!!!!

Tons of major leaguers here. Adrian Gonzales, Fernando Velenzuela, people I recognize but don’t know the names of. Ron Cey. Lasorda. They elected Fernando into the Caribbean Hall Of Fame a couple days ago so lots of ex players here. It was actually pretty touching. I mean I hate the guy but I have to hand it to him. The Mexicans LOVE him! He is Babe Ruth, Neil Armstrong and Jim Thorpe all rolled into one. A true national hero here.
Way to many dodger fans. Almost the entire Mexican squad is from Tijuana.

I’m out to run to the top of the hill they have with a view of the city.
Mex vs DR tonight in the final series. I have to be back to work Monday and may take off tomorrow so I can take my time getting home.

Oh one more weird thing here. The checkpoints are unnerving. Guys with .50 cals mounted to their jeeps and carrying m-16s is a little weird. Fortunately they aren’t looking for me.

Go Giants!

CB The DodgerH8ter

Ramirez was supposed to be 1-4 with 3 KO. And I misspelled a bunch of words in that last post. This computer has a Spanish keyboard and Spanish spell check so…….

CB The DodgerH8ter

Rameriz went 1-4, 3 KO. Bunch of misspellings in that last post. I’m using a computer with Spanish spell check and Spanish keyboard so….

fergie348

Breaking non-Giants baseball news: King Felix just signed an extension with the M’s – 7/175. Yes, you read that right..

Woj

Steve Suckelsen is back for another run at stinkitude. Why bother at watching an 88 mph sinker not sink and get barelled up time after time? Maybe he can throw BP to the Giants youngsters to get them grooved and feeling good about their swing.

fergie348

Food for thought: if Felix is worth 25MM AAV on a 7 year deal on *an extension*, what are Verlander and Kershaw worth if they make it to free agency??

Anti-Lasorda

Verlander is under contract for a while.

Kershaw, like Timmy is a F/A next season.

Both of them are licking their chops. Cain is starting to feel like he gave the club a hometown discount.

Jered Weaver is wondering what happened../.

Lefty

Good for King Felix. He deserves it. He also unseats Greinke as the highest-paid RHP, which was absolutely absurd.

To add to Anti’s list of bullpen possibles, don’t forget the guys who ARE on the 40-man roster: Petit, Machi, Otero, and Rosario. Wouldn’t they have the inside track ahead of most of the NRIs? –maybe with the exception of Ramirez because he pitched in the Gs’ bullpen before?

I too am curious about what becomes of Runzler. He’s been around for so long that it seems like he’s got to be almost out of options. But they certainly don’t need four lefties in the bullpen. I’m not sure they even really need three, but they probably won’t use Affeldt like a LOOGY.

Cole Gillespie and Conor Gillaspie in camp. That IS confusing. Here’s something more confusing: The Giants have two pitching prospects with practically the same name. Jake Dunning is on the 40-man roster and is 24 years old. Jacob Dunningham (also sometimes called “Jake”) is 21 years old.

I’m here to tell you that if both of them eventually make the bigs, Duane Kuiper will never keep it straight. He kept referring to outfielder Justin Christian as “Christiansen,” confusing him with Jason Christiansen, a pitcher the Giants had 6-7 years ago. And the two Jakes, Dunning and Dunningham, are BOTH pitchers!

Sonia H

Anti-Lasorda says: Both of them are licking their chops

Maybe Kershaw, not my Timmy.

Kershaw will stay in LA, my Timmy is probably going to end up in the Cardinals or Reds, National League, that is.

That is a huge mistake by the Mariners, they dont have money to pay Felix that cash… anyway, dont care about them, they will never win anything, and thank God my Timmy will never pitch for them.

Anti-Lasorda

I’m going to predict it here first.

Timmy remembers how to spot his fast ball, throws a few more benders and competes for Cy number 3 falling just short….. he beats Kershaw twice during the regular season..

Nothing like a contract drive and seeing 175 Million reasons to step up.

Foothills Ryan

Lefty,

It is confusing. So confusing, you got tripped up a bit.

It’s Jake Dunnington.

But Machi may be the guy. Should be a battle of who has the best fastball/splitter combination between he and Proctor.

Anti-Lasorda

This is the last hurrah for both Timmy and Pence unless the club wins again. With all the built in raises the club is going to need to clear some money out. My matchbook calulcations have about $100M already committed for 2014 assuming the raises for Posey and everyone else on the roster (cot’s doesn’t have the sure $12-14M in for Posey or any of the other Arb projections in the $73M already committed)

Free agents will be Lopez, Pence, Lincecum, Torres and the $13M option on Zito which I would bet is roughly around 50/50. The $7M is dead cost, so the question becomes whether or not Zito’s performance next season earns a 1 yr $13M deal or not which is right about what 15-8 with a 4.15 would pay open market.

Dan Haren, Edwin Jackson, Jorge DeLaRosa examples….

So, next offseason you need to find 2 starters and a stick for $40M or so assuming we don’t have a major bump in ticket prices. I will need to look at the Frobes numbers again this year, but the revenue model I had has that $142M as a top payroll under the current revenue structure. This will open up when the stadium debt is gone.

That’s an awful lot to do. IF Timmy bounces back and you want to resign him, you’re looking at $20-25M and you have to cut ties with Zito. If Timmy runs off elsewhere (which is what I expect), you probably risk over paying Zito slightly for one more season and pick up his option. (Remember the $7M doesn’t count, it ‘s dead money so even though technically your paying Zito $20M next year by picking up his option, it will probably be better than paying him $7M to play for someone else.) If Timmy has a 2012, you don’t want him back anyway. The hard part is what if he bounces back only half way? Then what?

Say Timmy goes 13 -10 with a 3.89 ERA, throws 197 innings and strikes out 200…. You want that back at $18-$20M per? I dunno….. You would have to assume that would be what you were getting going forward and business wise it’s an overpay. Granted it is Timmy.

Pence is a pay to play proposition 100%. Back of Baseball card gets him Either money (5 for $85M) or slightly better, last year = sayonara!

I don’t see Lopez returning. That saves $4M. Mijares takes over.

If Torres has a good year in the 4th OF role, and doesn’t mind playing for under $3M he’ll stay a Giant. If not, the club will look for someone else in that price range for the role.

And like many here have suggested. I still think you would like to upgrade LF. I like Gregor but he’s a 4th/platoon guy IMHO. There isn’t enough cash to go around. If you pay Pence and or Timmy.

So potential 2 corner OF, 2 starters for $40M. And Timmy and Pence would consume almost all of that if they perform at the levels you want in order to consider bringing them back at the salaries you would assume they would command. I just don’t see it, I think they price themselves out and if the club isn’t competing, talk about some trade chips.

Pence, Timmy, Lopez… They would look awful nice to a front running club.

~YMMV

AP

It’s pretty funny that we traded Torres and Ramirez for pagan n now all 3 are on the giants. We’ll just pretend we signed pagan as a free agent n Torres/Ramirez were on the DL all season

Foothills Ryan

CB, dig the report. Glad the Federales let you slip away.

Back to Lefty and WAY off topic -

finished season 1 Homeland. Good but, well below expectations. I just think shows like The Wire set the bar so impossibly high. In hindsight, Damages was a really good show. I miss Treme. What’s the deal with Netflix!?!

Possbly time for G of T , but leaning towards Downton Abbey – just saw Best Exotic… quite good. Can’t go wrong with Maggie Smith. Perhaps an English serial will encourage some rain to come our way.

Lefty

Foothills: The psychological dance between Carrie and Brody gets even more intricate in Season 2. But “The Wire” is a high bar. It’s arguably the best series ever on television.

I absolutely adore “Downton.” Appointment TV. We watched Seasons 1-2 this past fall and were ready for Season 3. We can hardly wait for Sunday nights, seriously. It was a nice pick-me-up after the (ugh) Super Bowl this week. Maggie Smith is amazing (and the writers are giving her great material; she steals every scene she’s in), but the whole cast is good, and they do a great job with developing the characters and the relationships among them. Some real depth there.

Thanks for picking me up on Dunnington–like I said, confusing, and I’m not quite at the “senior moments” stage like Duane Kuiper is.

Lefty

Anti: Great rundown on the 2013-14 choices to be made.

You’re probably right about Lopez, but then again–I’ve thought that before about other bullpen pitchers, and Sabean seems passionately devoted to keeping them if they’re performing well.

A key question to consider this year is how the young pitchers in the system are developing, specifically Heston, Kickham, Surkamp, Stratton, Crick, and Blackburn. If at least one of those guys is ready for the major league rotation in 2014 and 1-2 more look to be ready by 2015, I think Sabean could be conservative about throwing big bucks at Timmy and at Zito for 2014 (or beyond in the case of Timmy). There’s also Vogelsong with his team option for 2014. If he’s anywhere near as good as 2011-12, that will be a no-brainer. But he’ll be 36 this season and 37 next season. Time to start planning for the post-Vogey future, sad as that sounds.

I’d say 2014 has (at least) the following three scenarios for the rotation:

With so many options, there may not be any need to go shopping on the free agent market for starting pitchers. Money saved from the Timmy/Zito/Vogey contracts (in some combination) can go for a bat(s) instead. Or maybe some of these youngsters are trade bait for position players. Not a bad problem to have.

Anti-Lasorda

Best series I have seen on TV for the last 4 years is Breaking Bad. I’ll have to check “The Wire” out. On Netflix?

e-pip

No matter what Timmy does, he’ll never be worse than 2 WS wins more than “King” Felix. And Kershaw. And Grienke. And Don Sutton, Early Wynn, Gaylord Perry, Juan Marichal, Fergie Jenkins. In my lifetime.

orangeandblack

Yeeaahhh, almost time for Giants baseball!!!!!! Boof, Boof, Boof, woof, woof, woof (gotta admit it’s the best name(?) in camp. Repeat repeat (we’re still only up to two). The sky is the limit – let’s play ball!

Anti-Lasorda

Lefty,

I think you have it about right. Introduce one of the kids in 2014, the second in 2015 if all goes as I think.

Timmy bounce back, but not 100%, takes $20M per season to pitch in Seattle who has money but can’t buy a hitter wirth a Brinks truck.

Anti: Crick just turned 20 and hasn’t yet pitched above low A. Will he be ready by 2014? I guess Cain & MadBum were in the bigs by age 20, but…I’m guessing Heston or Kickham for 2014 is most likely.

Lefty

Oh, and I love the idea of VogelStrong’s Chicken Enchilada stand at AT & T Park.

Mr. Lefty balked a bit when I explained to him that we’ll be eating chicken enchiladas every five days during the season. He suggested only for especially big starts (like against Kershaw) and the postseason. Any bets on who’s going to win this one?

SurfCity

Lefty, if the pitching doesn’t work out, “Jakes, Dunning and Dunnington” would make a great law firm name.

===

AL, The Wire is not on Netflix streaming last I checked, unfortunately, though probably is on their DVD plan. Or just rent it locally or borrow it from the library.

Jstreet

Aren’t they all big starts?

brabon99

why do people get excited about non roster invitees? most/all are going to fresno or richmond….giants need depth at pitcher

at least 2 of the catchers are gonna be used for midseason trades

be happy….baseball is back

Foothills Ryan

Somebody say chicken enchiladas? Just so happens I’ll be whipping up a batch after work.

A-L and to anybody else it may concern,

This is it for Zito. There’s no picking up of any option. If he wins 15 games with a low 4 ERA, then kettle corn around the house, on me. 4.50 with 9 or 10 wins seems more like it to me. If he wants to come back for cheap after cashing in the craziest buyout on the craziest pitcher contract ever, then so be it. Plug Surkamp in his spot next year for league min and the results wouldn’t be that dissimilar.

And A-L, you are way ahead of yourself. Pitcher and catchers haven’t even reported in 2013!

But you have to get The Wire on your queue. And it should be in the library as great video literature. Even the kids can act and have depth of character – which, for lack of, I find a drawback in Homeland. Outside of Damien Lewis, Clare Danes, and Mandy Patinkin, the cast is a weak lot. Brodie’s family is especially weak. Can’t get past the wife who played the Reptile Queen, Anna in V.

YKMV

http://nada paul in p.v.

CB – great report on the road trip to Hermosillo – great idea for watching winter beisbol, it’s a vibrant MX city with a lot going for it, and inexpensive. Three hours south of the AZ border, and it has really spiffed up in the last 10 years, thanks to the booming Mexican economy (I ain’t talking tourism). Not desirable in the summer unless you like Death Valley, but interesting.

Snorkel in P.V.

SurfCity

CB – I also enjoyed your description of Mexican baseball. Oh and those soldiers with the guns are on your side by the way. I also have felt weird seeing them in Mexico. But if you think about (and read recent news reports about) who they are trying to protect you from, you’d be glad to see them!

2holehitting

No way Zito goes 13 wins and a 4.3 ERA and they pick up an $18Mill option. Not when you just suggested Crick at a 3.9ERA.

As far as Kershaws worth, the guy seems to have a bum hip. That is bad for a pitcher. Depending on injury, his stock may plummet severely this year.

Anti-Lasorda

BTW: Felix’s deal has Kevin Brown written all over it.

Of course Matt Cain’s did too….

Anti-Lasorda

It’s $13M option, and you maybe suprised.

I could see the club wanting to have a known quantity with 4 starters rather than shop in free agency and get an unknown. I think most agree that only 1 kid in the rotation at a time is a good idea. Depending on the percieved market and who is available at the end of the year, Zito at $13M may not look bad.

Hey look, he goes 9-16 with a 4.8 ERA its all moot…

But, let’s remember, the club hasn’t lost a game in which Zito started since August 1st. Now it wasn’t always because of him, but if he goes 15-8 with a 4.15 ERA again, I might keep him one more over bloated year, especially if Timmy leaves. And I am purty sure he gone….

Anti-Lasorda

Yes, ideally you approach BZ#75, and say we’re going to decline your option but would like to have you back for an additional $3M. Hopefully Zito accepts as a good will gesture for the past 7 years.

He wouldn’t be obligated to by any respect, and the club has shown in the past, say like with Affeldt post 2011 that a slight over is easier the a renegotiate.

The way Zito carries himself and with his interests he may say okay, as long as you match my salary with a similar donation to Stikeout for Troops…

2holehitting

Several sources has Zito option at $18M with a $7M buyout. I gues one could look at it as an $11 salary. At that price and with that performance anything above a 4.25 ERA (below league average) and 160 innings should not be considered.

If he wants to toss a sub 4 era and pile up 210 innings sure else go the next young stud. The Giants have a habbit of an under 4 ERA for anyone that can throw strikes and not walk batters. Aka not Timmy of 2012 and not Zito ever as a Giant.

The Mariners are going to end up hating that contract, unless they can get the Dodgers to do them the same stupid favor the Dodgers did for the Red Sox. It also means that, no matter what Lincecum does this season, he’s not getting big money to go home next year.

thefarnz

Lefty @ 2:28PM….the chicken??

Downton Abbey does an exceptional job on the servants (todays middle class). Best show currently on (I’d say TV but I watch from my Mac).

South City Jim

I don’t see Giants picking up Zito’s option in 2014, but if he pitches well, I think there’s definitely a chance they buy him out and bring him back at a team friendly price, certainly lower than the $11 million buyout. I think the Giants have other plans for Zito that may impact how he’s treated in future negotiations. He may not want it, but I predict he’ll be offered the bullpen coaching position after Gardner gets lulled away as a pitching coach by another team. Book it. Whether he accepts it or not and decides to go count his money and play his guitar on a far away island is another matter.

South City Jim

*$11 million option*

GiantDuck

Agree on Downton Abbey. Best show on TV. It’s not close. I’ll go further. Best show since West Wing.

From Footy’s post at #36: Is that you Clarisse?

ClutchUp

Andres Torres on KNBR Hot Stove League radio show in next few moments!

“It’s a Bless….”

Also Angel Villalona was granted his work viasa…heading to ARZ.

SurfCity

Was just coming to report the Villalona story too. Here’s sfgate and Schulman:

“Nevertheless, this is going to be awkward. A team that refused to reinstate Melky Cabrera for the postseason or re-sign him because he took performance-enhancing drugs is welcoming back a kid — Villalona is only 22 — whom many believe paid his way out of murder rap.

Not coincidentally, the Giants decided to reinstate Villalona in 2011 after settling a $5 million breach-of-contract lawsuit filed by the player on his contention that the Giants owed him $10,800 in back salary. I was also told at the time that Villalona was still too young to abandon as a player.

Perhaps, but you have to believe Villalona’s presence is going to create some awkward moments at Scottsdale Stadium in the weeks to come.”

Will someone shine some light on these questions:
What does Tony Abreu bring to the Giants they don’t already have?
Does the 2nd utility infielder (after Arias) come down to Abreu, Tanaka, Adrianza, or Noonan?
Since the 40-man is really 39 (and Villalona), is #40 de factor Ramirez?
Why would RR not be able to regain his 2011 (and other good years) form?
How does Hector Sanchez compare to John Jaso?
Did the Mariners get Morse cheap?

South City Jim

Why, when I hear the name Angel Villalona, do I immediately think of Cyril Baptiste? Guys might want to put their rings away in a safety deposit box. Cyril flushed Cazzie Russell’s down the toilet at the Forum.

brabon99

SurfCity

ray lewis murdered two people and went out a hero

ped use is worse than murder….FACT

villalona is headed for the hof

ClutchUp

No Andres Torres at FanFest. Has to go to PR to take care of some business. Surf City, tks for Schulmans take on Villalona. I disagree with Hank. He also could have just as easily framed in his homeland due to his fame.

Btw Andres talked Knbr’s host under the table. What I guy. Hope he gets his old number back.. Torres might outwork Blanco and force Bochy to give 56 more PT.

@EPip: Abreu is much younger than Tanaka and Abreu is a switchitter.

Arias stands alone.

Adrianza and Noonan have never done it at the ML level but Noonan is home grown like Adrianza and highly thought of!

Tanaka has some mileage on him in the Baseball Blue Book.

Foothills Ryan

Chicken enchiladas are in the oven. Kind of a lot of work. I hope Vogelsong appreciates his enchi’s.

I hope Villalona builds up some trade value and the Giants ship him. Seriously, there’s no place for him.

On a related note, I hope Brandon Belt tells the skipper to feel free to use him in left field during spring training. That he wants to help the team anyway he can and that he hopes him hitting the ball well forces the issue.

This is a quibble, but I wonder if Torres could have been had on a minor league deal or for a million less. It is a bless that the Giants guaranteed him the dough. He’s a blessing as a human being, so what’s an extra mill in the big scheme of things.

===

Downton Abbey it is. #1 on the queue. Wife still gives Homeland season one 5 stars. Me, less, but I probably give Lost 5 stars in spite of some wobbly late season antics. There’s no accounting for taste.

Has anybody seen Prometheus by Ridley Scott. Kind of an Alien prequel, but not a prequel. Trailers look good.

anywho….

Foothills Ryan

This is a cool series. To read about the path guys like Felix took as prospects.

Thx. Youth and switchhit. Not a particularly good record in ML, but better than none. Really good AAA numbers. Better than Noonan/Adrianza.
Since Abreu came from AL, we either had the very last choice on him on waiver wire, or if it’s record, just ahead of Cinn and Wash. So everybody else (or nearly everyone) passed on him? And KC didn’t pull him back so they didn’t want him either nor the NL teams he had played for.
Sabean’s scouts are pretty smart — they must have seen something no one else did.
Great minor league record though. I don’t suppose he’s as slick with the glove as Adrianza but probably better with the stick. For a backup, want glove or bat?
Yeah, I know, both!

HS baseball, SF Giants, Forty Niners and GSDubs….all the rest is a no go

snapdaddy

Where’s the Riot?? Has he signed yet??

Foothills Ryan

Nanoo – nanoo Clutch!

Netflix disc. MiFi not fast enough for stream and I wouldn’t want to pay for the data allowance to stream anyhow.

You probably have a practice game coming up. Real games soon also. Good luck.

If Sabean “hits” on his cheap left field route and his utility infielder – he’s going to cement his title as miracle worker of recycling bin.

ClutchUp

Ryan The Riot has not signed anywhere.

Not gonna be a Giant imo. He missed the parade and hasn’t been seen since he slid across home plate with his Wild Banchee Yell. 8)

http://nada paul in p.v.

C/U – well that is a fookin’ shame. (

South City Jim

There’s only one person on the face of the earth that can (or will be able to) sport WS rings for the past two seasons, and he’s known in certain parts as The Riot. Perhaps in others as the Ragin’ Cajun.

South City Jim

According to Ken Rosenthal, Texas and Cleveland interested in The Riot.

ClutchUp

The Riot will enjoy playing for either Tito or Wash imo. Both quality managers of men.

Both Players Skippers!

Foothills Ryan

I heard Theriot’s name connected to Philly.

Wilson Valdez is another minor league signing by Sabean that will compete for that back up utility role. This role would seem to project so few at-bats that it should come down to whoever has the best bench assest – like pinch running.

The curious case of Michael Bourn has been interesting. Although, he’s probably not amused.

Seems he is now in line for Angel Pagan money – which would be a big let down for him, and Boras as well.

The Met’s have been suiting, but are in dispute over the draft pick compensation rules. The rules state the top 10 picks are protected. The Met’s have the 11th pick – which as written, is not protected. However, since the #9 overall pick to the Pirates is compensation for losing Mark Appel last year, the Mets had the 10th worst record and would have a protected pick if it wasn’t for whatever questionable advice Appel received last year.

So the Mets definitely have a good argument. And it is sounding like their pick will be protected should they sign Michael Bourn.

Lefty

Hindsight, but would Angel Pagan $$ + the loss of a draft pick have been reasonable to get Michael Bourn instead of Pagan? Offensively, they’re fairly similar players, but Bourn is a superb defender and an outstanding base runner–and he’s a year or two younger than Angel, too.

As soon as the Mets get the 11th pick ok’ed as protected, Bourn will get signed with the Mets.

I would not give up a 1st round draft pick for him.

Jstreet

I say Meatloaf could release a follow up tune destined to launch a huge comeback. I’m writing a little ditty that needs a some er, work, but could fit the bill – AND the Gs might consider it for one of those vapid, season long KNBR promo spots. The working title – “Three Out of Four Ain’t Bad, (Either)”

I still miss the song from I think 1985 or so. James Brown’s classic “I Feel Good” even though, as I recall it was a dismal year for the team, though good things were about to happen.. And I still love that song.

Well, back to my guitar. Uh, anybody know Meatloaf’s phone number?

Jstreet

Sorry about the previous. Been a long off season. Too long.

As they say in the Westerns, “Quiet out there. Too quiet..”

stealYOURface

Any GM out there that believes in patterns should sign theriot whether they need him or not.

Torres is for those that are nostalgic. Pretty sure his tank is empty.

Prometheus,its like a joke where the set up is funnier than the punch line.
Watchable,also forgettable. Really taxes the suspension of disbelief.
That being said,it is a cool concept. Shaky execution. If you like spacey stuff,worth a look.

Nate’sFanMom

RE: Angle Villalona

The Giants could have fought the lawsuit or settled, but instead the choose to reinsate Angle rather than let another team have him.

Being that none of us fans know the circumstances of the incident and the victim’s family choose to settle (something I would never do if it were my boy who died), let’s just give the kid a chance to redeem himself.

ClutchUp

Something tells me Andre the Forever is gonna have a solid year. He’s now away from Juan Gonzolvez (sic) and Andre has stopped throwing railroad ties as workouts.

Collegiately he holds a track record – second to Dieon Sanders. But Andre still might make Flans job difficult by not scoring from 3rd on a deep grounder to SS.

Torres will make Blanco work harder. Doubtful that Andres tank will be empty.

Btw which fanbases have NO chance even NOW before the start of ST?

Mo P

Can’t wait, pitchers & catchers report here next week!

I remember seeing Blanco in BP last year and didn’t think he’d make the team, and low and behold he was critical at times.

Really curious to see who makes the team that wasn’t expected to.

I wonder if Zito can duplicate his season last year, and if Tim can rebound.

Should be fun!

Wally Pipp

Nate’sFanMom says: RE: Angle Villalona

Congrats NFMom, there are many who slid in the side door up here and if we can tolerate those on the bubble ‘up here’ then the other Giant Angel (Villalona) should be afforded some opportunity.

Guns, money, alcohol still reign supreme when players go back home during off seasons and he could just as easily have been targeted as somebody rich enough to take the rap for the incident, thus the pay-out.

Mr. Felipe still believes in AV’s ability even though Mr. Villalona looks like a cross between Jerome Williams and Livan Hernandez.

And please, please, let’s get a better comment system up and running for this season!

GiantDuck

On the Michael Bourne front: I wouldn’t want him under any circumstances over Pagan (or Blanco). He has a noodle for an arm, and his K-rate is frightening. If he was in CF at ATT (granted, he’d get to a lot of balls) triples alley would be changed to inside-the-park-homer alley. If Bourne had to shag a ball in the R-CF gap, it would take a 2b and a UPS truck to get the ball back to the infield.

That said, I still worry about LF. Not defensively, of course. It’s just that we need one more stick and that’s the logical place. Nothing against Blanco. He’d be one of the best 4th outfielders in the game, plus a fine backup for Pagan in CF. I wish there was someone to pursue. Michael Brantley is my top candidate, but it would take a lot. Maybe Brown and a young stud pitcher? And before anyone gets too fired up about Brown, I don’t see that his future is overly bright in SF what with Pagan’s long contract and Blanco’s youth, and, of course, the addition of Brantley.

When Spring Training breaks out, I just have to scratch.

ClutchUp

We’ve tried suggesting a better internal comment gizmo but the sight is free…SJM News has no dinero.

Phil: Give some resolutions to your suggestion.

This site is 1000% better than CSN. The Baggerly blog-comment section is so bad. Sometimes its 50-1 comments Merc vs Comcast. Lowell Cohn and Rich Lieberman moderate almost post and the delays are taxing.
The Splash=Say No More.

I think we should:
Register
Do the Avatar even tho its not fool proof
Close comments as soon as there is a newer thread
Have word/character #’s limitation 8)
And, there are others….

johnfromnj

I was just thinking about the fact that Sabean/Bochy are the only
active GM/Manager tandem who will have twice defended World Series
titles. Will their experience from 2011 put them in a better position
to more properly defend in 2013? Granted, the Posey injury was huge,
but still…I hope there is some merit to my speculation.

pacman68

So far this is what we get from Media Day.

Clean Cut Timmy is up to 170. http://instagram.com/p/VexauopPJw/
Bablo is still fat.
Brett Bochy’s shoulder has improved.
Zito is ready for the season and wants to retire a Giant.

GiantDuck

More scratching at ST itch:
Having dreamed about Brantley in LF, a reality check is in order, with a positive spin. Crawford, Belt, Sandoval and Posey are still young. There is no reason to believe they won’t improve — except for Posey of course, we’ll just have to “settle” for another MVP type season. Pence should return to his baseball card numbers. Hopefully, Scoots has another good year left. Lincecum has to be better than 2012, doesn’t he? I’m OK with the bullpen and with a Romo-Affeldt-Casilla closer trio. The starters are still there, backed up by a solid defensive unit. Cain is a horse. MadBum has a great future. I’m confident Vogey has another year or two in him, especially considering his attitude. Zito is questionable, but he’s still a No. 5.

The improvement by our young studs should make up for not adding a big bat. Maybe. That’s the rub. But what team doesn’t have some maybes?

Play ball.

channelclemente

Pac,

and he still took Verlander deep three times in his House and broke the back of Tigers in game one of the WS.

Ridiculously Cut Panda

Wish April 1 would come sooner.

pacman68

channelclemente

I agree. I just see so much potential to the guy. He is very close to being a super star stud. His weight and lack of conditioning is only going to get worse with age.

channelclemente

Coitus Playballus Interruptus

channelclemente

pac,

he is what he is, I no longer care. We’ll get 2-3 more years before his body breaks down, and someone just as good will step into his position. I thank him for his contributions, and brief stay in the Bigs,

Foothills Ryan

Carmot? Is that you?

I recognize Michael Brantley love when I see it.

Duck, this makes you the second person with a desire to trade for a hitter who had a .750 OPS last year. No power. No a real threat on bases. His defense appears average to slightly above average.

So what’s the deal with Brantley?

Good OBP – a lot of doubles. Is that it?

Maybe Gary Brown turns into a better player. Maybe Blanco has a similar year.

channelclemente

Really nice, short article on advancing first to third over the last 60 years. Big changes over the years,

Footy — My Brantley obsession comes from watching him play a few times on TV. Granted, it’s a small sample, but his gap power seems perfectly fit for ATT, and he has a knack for getting on base, and I can’t help but think his upside is plus-plus.

Or, I could be completely wrong. Sadly, with me, that’s always an option.

And because my Brantley wish won’t come true, I’ll sit back and enjoy being wrong when Blanco totally out-performs him this year.

Foothills Ryan

“We’ll get 2-3 more years before his body breaks down, and someone just as good will step into his position. ”

any chance you’re thinking Buster Posey??

I’m surprise at how thin the MLB third base market has been (or appears). Who was available this year? Nobody. Who’s available next year? Probably nobody.

Name the top 5 3B in MLB – then the drop off after.

Anyhow, I’m hoping for a big year from Sandoval. Sure, the defense may continue to fall back, but when he gets his weight behind the ball, it goes faaaaaaaaaaaarrr. Then, I think a trade could be in order. To the Yankees or other AL club in need of offense and a 3b/1b/DH. It will be diffiicult to rationalize the type of contract he’ll be in line for once his current contract expires at the end of next year.

Foothills Ryan

What are you doing watching riveting Cleveland Indians baseball? Major League does not count.

I’m sure Cleveland likes him in their lineup as they have pipe dreams of contending in 2013. But they’d always consider swapping for pitcher or two.

Foothills Ryan

This blog format works fine. And besides, BANG ain’t going to spring for new software.

Maybe they can limit the # of times a commenter posts per day.

Perhaps that would make FhR STFU ! Know what I mean?

channelclemente

Foothills,

Posey maybe, that’d be the organic solution…but to be honest, I was thinking of Darwin. Sandoval at 30-31 is going to be ‘u-g-l-y’, and he won’t have an alibi.

IMO, one of the reasons this blog works through thick and thin is precisely because of the software. Trolls hate it, they get no echo, or long threads committed to their rubbish.

GiantDuck

I cheat on my Giants occasionally, watching games on MLBTV. That’s the Brantley sighting. But I’m not Carmot (despite the rhyme).

Agree on Sandoval. The guy can barrel up despite the barrel he carries. I’ll take him as is.

But I still would like a lineup like this:
Pagan/Blanco
Scutaro
Brantley
Posey
Sandoval
Pence
Belt
Crawford
– p –

Hunter would be a terrific No. 6 in a batting order. He’s just a good No. 5.

Sam

To those who said Lincecum’s weight was not an issue last year,

@StuhlbargCSN: #SFGiants short-haired Tim Lincecum faults mechanics and lack of strength for down year. He’s up to 170… http://t.co/36zsec1g.

Sam

From Hank Schulman:

@hankschulman: Zito also would be open to an extension and said he wants to stay a Giant till he retires. #sfgiants.

That’s the funniest thing I have ever heard. The guy pitches a couple of good games in 6 years and is looking for an extension.

South City Jim

Sam, you can do the math yourself. Zito’s ERA for his best 21 starts last year was 2.07. I’m not joking.

South City Jim

That’s regular season. It’s even lower if you count the starts against Cards and Tigers in the postseason.

channelclemente

Sam,

Zito has earned the consideration. Elimination ‘wins’ are where the rubber meets the road. He was nails in the post season and deserve our respect, no matter the past.

South City Jim

My numbers above we’re slighty off…don’t want any misinformation:

Regular season:

Best 20 starts: 13-2 record, 2.07 ERA

Worst 12 starts: 2-6 record, 9.17 ERA

Post season:

3 starts: 2-0 record, 1.69 ERA

In any event, this point is mute. If he pitches well in 2013, perhaps they extend him. If he pitches poorly, they don’t.

Sam

Well if the really want him they can pick up his 18 mil option in 2014.

South City Jim

I wouldn’t do that either.

Sam

It would really only be 11 mil, since they would have to pay 7 mil to decline the option.

South City Jim

In order of magnitude, 2013 is a big season for these three and I’d wait to see how it plays out before I extend any of them:

1) Lincecum
2) Pence
3) Zito

South City Jim

That’s true. If Zito pitches like he did in 2012, I’d be more inclined to say “how ’bout we buy out the $7 million and extend you in 2014/2015 for $3/$5 million, respectively. That way they save $3 million and get themselves an insurance policy for 2015. The Giants may have three studs in Crick, Kickham and Blackburn and a nice 5th starter in Surkamp, or they might have nothing.